The betula utilis jacquemontii, commonly called the Himalayan birch or white-barked Himalayan birch, is a gorgeous ornamental tree known for its brilliant white bark. Native to the Himalayan mountains, this graceful birch tree can bring elegance and visual interest to gardens, parks, and other landscapes. In this article, we will explore why the Himalayan birch is such a captivating tree and how to grow it successfully.
An Eye-Catching Display of Bright White Bark
The most outstanding feature of the Himalayan birch is its striking white bark. As the tree matures, the bark peels away in papery curls to reveal a fresh white trunk underneath. This creates a very dramatic, multi-dimensional look. The white bark contrasts beautifully with the green leaves in spring and summer and the golden fall foliage. The luminous bark seems to almost glow when backlit by the sun. No other tree offers such a brilliant white bark display.
Graceful Pyramidal Form
In addition to the white bark the Himalayan birch has an attractive growth habit. It forms a neat pyramidal shape with the branches tiered elegantly upward. The oval green leaves add texture and flutter in the breeze. In the fall, the foliage turns a lovely clear yellow. The overall form of the tree is very graceful and appealing. The Himalayan birch works well as a stunning specimen tree or planted in a small grove.
Fast Growing When Young
Like other birch trees the Himalayan birch grows rapidly when young. It can put on up to 3 feet of growth per year when provided with ideal conditions. This makes it relatively easy to establish. Within just a few years of planting, you can expect to see a sizable, maturing tree with exfoliating white bark starting to develop. The fast juvenile growth slows down as the tree ages.
Thrives in Cooler Climates
The Himalayan birch prefers cooler climates. It grows best in USDA zones 4-7 where summer temperatures rarely exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. When planted south of its ideal range, the tree struggles in the heat and humidity. Stressed trees become vulnerable to boring insects. In the right climate, the Himalayan birch will grow for 40 years or more. Selecting the correct region and site is key to success with this specimen tree.
Simple Care Requirements
Caring for a Himalayan birch tree is relatively straightforward. It prefers a location with full sun to partial shade. Well-drained, acidic soil with adequate moisture is ideal. Use a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around the root zone to help maintain cool, moist conditions. Water regularly during dry periods, especially in summer. Occasional pruning can be done in late winter to maintain the desired shape. Protect the tree from severe weather when first planted. Once established, the Himalayan birch is fairly resilient.
An Asset to the Landscape
With its luminous white bark, pyramidal form, graceful branching, and yellow fall foliage, the Himalayan birch makes a glorious specimen tree. The exfoliating bark creates winter interest as well. Since it prefers cooler climates, take care to select a suitable planting site. With minimal care, the Himalayan birch can thrive and showcase its captivating beauty for decades to come. It’s easy to see why this elegant, ornamental tree is treasured by gardeners and landscapers alike. The Himalayan birch is truly one of the most stunning, distinguished trees available.
Why plant Jacquemonti Himalayan Birch?
You cant miss this one! This fancy dancy Birch tree has the whitest bark of all Birch trees. The bark of the Jacquemontii Birch develops its brightness at a young age, lending a striking contrast to the dark green leaves it holds throughout the season. Pick one up today – and dont forget your sunglasses….cause these puppies are bright!
Europeans first “discovered” this Himalayan tree in the 1820s, though native peoples had been using its bark as writing paper for centuries. Because of its water-repellent properties, the bark has also been used in roofing, much as Paper Birch bark was once used in this country in canoe-building. Indeed, “usefulness” is written right into the White barked Himalayan Birch’s species name, utile. Another utilization of the tree, however, has helped to put it on the Endangered List in its native lands: firewood. Could any more beautiful tree meet such a sad fate?
How Does Sizing Work?
The size of our trees have nothing to do with the container size like you may find elsewhere–big doesnt mean just height – it’s also vigor, age, and overall health. Other online retailers are going to tell you that a plant is a seven gallon, that means nothing to your tree or plant (or you.)
Our trees for sale online are graded on large, x-large, and even bigger sizes. This is because our trees are sized by their age—the higher the letter, the more mature the tree. The age determines the trees’ overall height, size of the trunk and the overall branch density.
All of these characteristics are what you should be looking for when choosing a tree for immediate impact and instant curb appeal. Our extra-large tree and plant sizes are sure to wow you and your neighbors!
See the size guides below.
3-YEAR-TREE GUARANTEE:
Bower & Branch offers a Three-Year Tree Guarantee on all of our trees, sizes X-Large and up. Only the finest and the most experienced growers are awarded the opportunity to grow for Bower & Branch, so we offer the best guarantee available.
If your tree(s) should fail for any reason during the three-year guarantee period, you will receive an online gift card in the amount that you originally spent on the tree.* You can then use this online gift card for any Bower & Branch Purchase.
* Bower & Branch provides online gift cards in the amount of the original purchase price of the tree(s). The amount does not include any additional costs such as delivery, planting, tax, or any other products or services. Online gift cards can be applied towards any Bower & Branch purchase on BowerandBranch.com and have no expiration dates. Bower & Branch does not guarantee tree replacement or availability of any desired product at any time. Cash refunds are not offered. Bower & Branch requires that all original tags and receipts are present when a guarantee request is initiated. The Bower & Branch Three-Year Guarantee only applies to plant material that has been planted in the ground. Container plantings are NOT covered.
At Bower & Branch, we do our best to honor all guarantee fulfillment requests to ensure customer satisfaction. However, we reserve the right to refuse the request if the required guarantee steps were not satisfied. Bower & Branch also reserves the right to deny any guarantee fulfillment request that is made as a result of animal damage, problems with plant hardiness and zone issues, or acts of nature (snow storms, hurricanes, and similar).
Reach out to a Plant Whisperer with any questions:
– Email: [email protected]
– Phone: 866-873-3888
– Or via Online Chat
The Garden Gurus – Himalayan Bich (Betula utilis var jacquemontii)
FAQ
How big does a Himalayan birch get?
Size and Method of Spreading. Himalayan birch is a medium-sized tree, growing 30 to 40 feet tall and 18 to 25 feet wide.
What are the disadvantages of silver birch trees?
… main tree that causes allergic symptoms, including seasonal hayfever, asthma, and other health conditions such as food allergies (the oral allergy syndrome)
How big do Betula Jacquemontii get?
| Hardiness | 4 – 7 What’s My Zone? |
|---|---|
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
| Season of Interest | Spring (Early, Mid, Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall, Winter |
| Height | 30′ – 40′ (9.1m – 12.2m) |
| Spread | 20′ – 25′ (6.1m – 7.6m) |
What is the prettiest birch tree?
Erman’s Birch (Betula ermanii) is a medium-sized birch known for its graceful appearance. The trunk displays creamy bark with hints of copper-pink, while the branches feature papery brown bark. With large, heart-shaped, bright green leaves that turn golden yellow in fall, this tree is a stunning addition to any garden.